Nelson stellar in win

By Keith Spence, Kinston Free-Press Correspondant

Published: Friday, February 22, 2013 at 10:12 PM.

“The Freedom Classic is something we look forward to every year. The people are great, the venue is great, and it’s a chance to play our brothers from the Air Force Academy. Winning today is just icing on the cake.”

Navy drew first blood on an RBI double by Brandon Beans in the third. The Falcons answered with Alex Bast’s run-scoring single in fourth.

“It was a great college baseball game,” Kazlausky said. “It’s a shame we came out on the losing end, but we’ve got three more to play. It’s going to be fun.”

FREEDOM FACTS: Today’s game will start at 5 p.m. … Navy’s win tied the all-time series between the academies at 16-16. … Winning pitcher Nelson is now 2-0 on the season and was named the Patriot League pitcher of the week after his season-opening victory over Norfolk State. … Wiedeman, who scored the eventual winning run, was the Patriot League player of the week. … With a 0-5 start, Air Force is still looking for its 1,000 win as a baseball program. The Falcons entered 2013 with 999 wins since starting baseball in 1956. … Friday’s game lasted just 1 hour, 53 minutes. … Game 2 is scheduled for 5 p.m. today.

KINSTON — There was a Division I college baseball game played Friday afternoon at Grainger Stadium, but that was just a small part of the story.

The third annual Freedom Classic kicked off with Navy’s 3-1 victory over Air Force in the opener of the four-game series between the two service academies.

Amid the on-field competition was the military pageantry, the grateful recognition of those who have served both past and present, and a stirring, heartfelt rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” by Senior Master Sargeant Jerry Hannah, U.S. Air Force, retired, of La Grange.

“Coming to Kinston is one of the highlights of our season,” Air Force coach Mike Kazlausky said. “We’re so well-treated by the people and staff here who put on the Freedom Classic. We’re among people who understand the sacrifices that are being made both now and in the future by the young men in both dugouts. It’s a special occasion to be sure.”

The game itself almost seemed secondary, but, of course, it was the star of the show, featuring a dazzling display of pitching between Navy’s Ben Nelson and Cameron White of Air Force and a hard-fought contest that wasn’t decided until the final inning.

Nelson sailed to the complete game victory, scattering six hits while striking out eight. He didn’t walk a batter.

White soared through 8 1/3 innings but was ultimately the unlucky loser, also surrendering six hits with seven whiffs. His only unintentional walk of the game brought home the eventual winning run.

“My intention was to pound the strike zone and I was able to do that,” said Nelson, a senior from Winter Springs, Fla. “I also got a lot of help from my defense. They (Air Force) hit some balls hard, but the guys behind me were excellent.”

The two teams were locked in a 1-1 pitchers’ duel until the top of the ninth.

Midshipman (3-2) ninth-place hitter David Wiedeman greeted White with a single to left leading off the frame. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and then reached third when Falcons (0-5) second sacker Matthew Roberts booted a grounder by Navy’s Brandon Beans.

One out later, White (0-2) intentionally walked Dave Milanes to load the bases and set up the potential force. Greg Dupell then coaxed a base on balls on a full count — the only unintentional walk by either pitcher — to force in the tie-breaking run.

Navy’s Kash Manzelli, who entered the game batting .467 through four games, followed with a base hit to right, chasing White and making the score 3-1.

Falcons reliever Bo Wilson induced a double play grounder to prevent further damage.

“Our pitcher was outstanding, their pitcher was outstanding, and we were fortunate to scratch out a couple of runs there at the end,” Navy coach Paul Kostacopoulos said.

“The Freedom Classic is something we look forward to every year. The people are great, the venue is great, and it’s a chance to play our brothers from the Air Force Academy. Winning today is just icing on the cake.”

Navy drew first blood on an RBI double by Brandon Beans in the third. The Falcons answered with Alex Bast’s run-scoring single in fourth.

“It was a great college baseball game,” Kazlausky said. “It’s a shame we came out on the losing end, but we’ve got three more to play. It’s going to be fun.”

FREEDOM FACTS: Today’s game will start at 5 p.m. … Navy’s win tied the all-time series between the academies at 16-16. … Winning pitcher Nelson is now 2-0 on the season and was named the Patriot League pitcher of the week after his season-opening victory over Norfolk State. … Wiedeman, who scored the eventual winning run, was the Patriot League player of the week. … With a 0-5 start, Air Force is still looking for its 1,000 win as a baseball program. The Falcons entered 2013 with 999 wins since starting baseball in 1956. … Friday’s game lasted just 1 hour, 53 minutes. … Game 2 is scheduled for 5 p.m. today.